Vietnam Proposes Tax Framework for Cryptocurrency Transactions

Vietnam is set to introduce a tax framework for cryptocurrency transactions, aligning digital assets with securities trading. According to Cointelegraph, the Ministry of Finance has circulated a draft policy outlining the new tax structure. Individuals transferring crypto assets through licensed service providers would incur a 0.1% personal income tax on each transaction's value, similar to the levy on stock trades in the country. The draft circular, released for public consultation, specifies that crypto transfers and trading will be exempt from value-added tax. However, a turnover-based tax will apply to investors regardless of their residency status whenever a transfer occurs. Companies operating in Vietnam will face different tax obligations. Institutional investors earning income from crypto transfers will be subject to a 20% corporate income tax, calculated on profits after deducting purchase costs and related expenses. Authorities have also provided a formal definition of crypto assets, describing them as digital assets relying on cryptographic or similar technologies for issuance, storage, and transfer verification. The draft outlines stringent requirements for operators, including a minimum charter capital of 10 trillion Vietnamese dong (approximately $408 million) for firms seeking to run a digital asset exchange. Foreign ownership is permitted but capped at 49% of an exchange’s equity. Vietnam ranks fourth globally in crypto adoption. The proposed rules coincide with the country's five-year pilot program for a regulated crypto asset market, launched in September 2025. On October 6, 2025, the Ministry of Finance confirmed that no companies had applied to participate in the pilot, citing high capital requirements and strict eligibility conditions. In a related development, Vietnam began accepting applications for licenses to operate digital asset trading platforms last month, marking the operational launch of its planned pilot program for a regulated crypto market. The State Securities Commission of Vietnam announced that applications for these administrative procedures would be accepted starting January 20, 2026, as part of a broader effort to bring cryptocurrency under formal regulatory oversight.